Earth Rider
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Learning Center
    • Explore Ebikes
    • Newsletter signup
    • Privacy Policy
    • Refunds
    • Learning to Ride a Bike
  • Shop
    • Ebikes
    • Bikes >
      • Youth Bikes
    • Lights
    • Helmets
    • Bags and baskets
    • Accessories >
      • Pedals
    • Outerwear >
      • Glove Box
    • Apparel
    • Bicycle inspired goods >
      • Greeting Cards
  • Service
  • Rentals

Recovery paired with bicycles and fun

2/20/2018

 
Picture
There is a program that assists those recovering from substance abuse that incorporate bicycling. ​As a bike club we know what fun it is to ride a bicycle, and now there is a program that uses the power of bicycling to assist those recovering from substance use disorders (SUD).  At the February Evanston Bike Club (EBC) meeting we learned about Pedal4Life, an organization that uses bicycles as a component of the recovery process with great success.

Ira David Levy, producer of the Pedal America TV series on PBS, video producer, and educator, founded Pedal4Life, www.pedal4life.org, in 2016.  He was inspired to create the non-profit when he attended a Project Hero ride during the Interbike bicycle industry show.  He learned there are 21.2 million people affected by substance abuse, including 1.6 million veterans.  The problem is increasing: in 2015 there were 692 confirmed overdose deaths in Illinois, and this increased to 1826 deaths in 2016.  Drug treatment centers have capacity to treat only 20% of those who need help.

Pedal4Life’s Pathway2Home bicycle program provides free bicycles, safety gear, biking instruction, and pays for the first year dues to a local bicycle club.  The program is a 2017 EBC grant recipient.  Over 6 weeks participants hear presentations from program participants, veterans, physicians, bicycle club leaders, and a bike shop owner.  Each week there are 10 mile group rides led by League Cycling Instructors (LCIs).  They learn about rules of the road, how to ride safely in a group, hand signals, how to fix a flat tire, hydration, and post ride nutrition.  Besides the fundamentals of bicycling for recreation and transportation participants report they learned life lessons:  listening, benefits of being part of a group, acceptance of others, focusing attention, looking out for others, planning skills, verbal communications, and healthy behavior.
​
Due to the success of the program plans are in the works to expand it to other drug treatment centers, address winter biking challenges, secure space in a tech hub, and offer services to assist with employment.  This year’s HeroInMe ride will be Sunday, June 13, 2018 in Naperville to raise funds and support those in recovery.  Pedal4Life is proof positive of the power of bicycling to positively impact people’s lives.

Comments are closed.

    Earth Rider Blog about Cycling


    Author

    Sharon Kaminecki and others comment on adventures in bicycling and other stories

    Categories

    All
    Being Visible On Your Bike
    Bike Comfort
    Bike Safety
    Buying A Bike
    Cycling General Interest
    Learning About Ebikes
    Protecting Your Bike


    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017

Earth Rider logo of earth intersected with a banner with an image of a cyclist and the words Earth Rider in colors blue, green, aqua, black and red

Address

1873 N Milwaukee Ave
​Chicago, IL 60647

Phone

773-360-1816

Email

bikefun@earthridercycling.com

Payment methods:
Credits card visa, mastercard, american express, and discover
Sign up for our newsletter - click here.

Winter Hours              

Wed. 10am - 8pm
Thu.   10am - 5pm
Fri.      10am - 5pm
Sat.      10am - 5pm
Sun.     Closed
​Mon.    Closed
Tues.    Closed
Or by appointment--contact us!
SPECIAL HOURS:  Closed 1/20-24 for Brazen Dropouts Bike Swap; 2/7-9 for CABDA Midwest
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Learning Center
    • Explore Ebikes
    • Newsletter signup
    • Privacy Policy
    • Refunds
    • Learning to Ride a Bike
  • Shop
    • Ebikes
    • Bikes >
      • Youth Bikes
    • Lights
    • Helmets
    • Bags and baskets
    • Accessories >
      • Pedals
    • Outerwear >
      • Glove Box
    • Apparel
    • Bicycle inspired goods >
      • Greeting Cards
  • Service
  • Rentals